This week, we released a new data brief outlining how providers are progressing with participation in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. Today, let's take a closer look at the EHR Data Brief, and some of the exciting progress we saw as we begin our fourth year of the programs.

While electronic health records software (EHR) may assist physicians in real-time communication with patients during office visits, they can also prove to be a distraction. Using an EHR can cause providers, nurses, and staff to seem disengaged from the patient. Keeping a healthy relationship with your patients is extremely valuable.

When providers purchase an electronic health record (EHR) system, they are hoping to benefit from features within the system that will increase efficiency and produce cost-savings while improving patient care. Most physicians fear a productivity loss during the implementation process that could eventually lead to a reduction of their practice’s profitability. However, when paper processes are replaced with an electronic solution, productivity tends to increase, along with overall profits.

We can often take our computer skills for granted. Not everyone is fortunate enough to learn basic computer skills and that can impact efficiency in a modern medical office. As an electronic health records (EHR) trainer, I have experienced the difficulty of training nurses and medical assistants on an EHR/EMR system. The transition is difficult for some to understand, and sometimes the nurses do not see the value the EHR can bring to a medical practice. I understand that nurses focus primarily on patient care as well as making sure the patient is ready to be seen by the provider. When a practice is moving from paper records to an EMR, the nursing staff is often skeptical of the benefits that will result. Here are a few things to help ease the transition process from paper medical records to an EMR for the nursing staff.

Healthcare Deadlines Over the Next Few Years

Still trying to figure out the who, what, when and where of the upcoming healthcare deadlines? It can be hard to stay up-to-date with all of the changes with policies and payments. Check out the following timeline to plan for the changes over the next couple of years.

Join Next Provider Webinar on 2014 CMS eHealth Program Milestones for Eligible Professionals

Eligible Professionals (EPs) are encouraged to join the next CMS eHealth webinar on milestones for 2014 eHealth programs, which will be held on Thursday, December 5th from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET. The webinar will help you prepare for major eHealth deadlines, transition milestones and benchmarks in 2014. CMS experts will present on eHealth programs including the EHR Incentive Programs, ICD-10, and the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS).

CMS Permitting a One-Time 3-Month Reporting Period in 2014

In order to allow for adequate time for providers to upgrade to 2014 Certified EHR technology, CMS is permitting this one-time three-month reporting period in 2014 for eligible hospitals and eligible providers. Eligible Hopsitals have until July 1, 2014 and Eligible Providers have until October 1, 2014 to begin their three month reporting period with 2014 Edition software. Therefore, some providers will be able to achieve Meaningful Use in the first quarter, rather than the last, and receive incentives earlier.

The key to successful Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption is not only selecting the right system, but ensuring you have the right people involved in the process. Many EHR’s pledge the reduction of coding staff because the EHR will allow you to swiftly document, accurately code your progress notes, and auto generate your coding. Sounds easy enough, right? What you might want to consider when listening to the sales demonstration is who is giving the demonstration. As a software vendor, do they have the experience of medical coders and reimbursement staff that have lived the tricks of the trade? Do they understand that sometimes submitting a clean claim requires more than automated claim creation and filing?

In this segmented survey of healthcare financial leaders, over 8,000 respective CFOs, CIOs, administrators and support staff of US hospitals and physician practices contributed their perceptions to Black Book™ between April 2013 and August 2013.